CBI actions will not affect ties with DMK, says Congress

Congress today expressed confidence that the CBI actions into the 2G Spectrum scam will have no bearing on its alliance with DMK in poll-bound Tamil Nadu, saying these are two different issues.

The party asserted that actions in the case were in line with the findings of the Supreme Court-monitored investigation.

“These are two different issues. Our alliance is a political alliance. What CBI is doing for further investigation, it is for them to explain the details of why they are taking action against certain individuals. As far as our alliance with DMK is concerned, it has nothing to with these matters,” party spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed said.

His reaction came on a day when CBI carried out searches in the offices and residences of top management of DMK first family run Kalaignar TV in connection with the 2G spectrum scam.

However, a senior party leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, accepted that the arrest of former Telecom Minister A Raja and the “exposure” of Mr. Karunanidhi family links will create discomfort for the party in the run-up to the Assembly elections. He expressed the hope that the issue would “wear out” as elections are still a few months away.

He also said that there is “no threat of damage to the alliance” as both Congress and DMK will lose if they go on their own.

There was also a view that the DMK, which is already facing tough times with the case disclosures, would not like to risk parting ways with the Congress.

Sources in the party indicated that the alliance partner also understands that in a Supreme Court monitored investigation, the progress in the case will happen as per the evidence.

The Congress, which earlier had reservations against bringing PMK into alliance, also appeared unaffected with the tie-up between the southern parties.

“In politics it happens. DMK was earlier with NDA ten years back but today it is a very strong alliance partner of UPA. We have an alliance in the state as well as Government of India. We have successfully completed one term (at the Centre) from 2004 to 2009 and we do hope that we will successfully complete (alliance) from 2009 to 2014 and we will also win the coming elections in Tamil Nadu,” Mr. Ahmed said.

At the same time, he evaded questions on the “merit” of DMK-PMK alliance which was announced in Chennai today under which PMK has been allotted 31 Assembly seats.

The Congress spokesperson said, “I do not know the details of the decision. Whether PMK is going to be part of alliance or not. It is not formally announced whether DMK, PMK and Congress would contest together. But of course, it is expected that they would contest together.”

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